Before I begin, Jonesey has probably covered most of this already using his superb and superior literary talent. Incidentally, I think his website is one of the many diversion tactics Jonesey uses to avoid doing any work on his car. So I won’t bore you too much hopefully and will try and concentrate on areas of interest to group C.

Group C looks set to be uber competitive this year, with us three reprobates, Dan Ludlow, Rob Spencer, Barry Holmes and Nigel Pratt signed up so far.

Dan’s weapon of choice this time around is one of those modern MG ZR’s, you know, like the ones in the MGCC Throphy championship that lap about 3 seconds faster than anything else We got our first glimpse of it at Castle Coombe followed by a days testing at Silverstone. The car looks immaculate, Vulcan racing have done a stunning job on it. However, as yet, it doesn’t look as fast as it could be on paper, something those enterprising Vulcan boys will be working hard on (geddit? Sorry Jonesey I’m stealing your lines). Let’s see if the sandbags come out for Brands!

The ever present Rob Spencer has always been the man to watch according the V8 boys. Rob regularly mixed it at the front last year and looks set to continue doing the same this year. The addition of a Team Neaves Racing Pedal Box (shameless plug) could make the difference. After testing at Silverstone and a booking for Brands, Rob is clearly fired up this year and probably fancies it.

Of course many will remember Blaine and Rob locking horns at Brands last year, which made for some cracking video. I imagine both will not want to repeat last years’ tit-for-tat banger racing, until they are fighting for position again…

Barry Holmes completes the list of usual suspects in Group C and had some good runs last year. The most memorable perhaps was at Oulton when he gave us a great insight in to what it is like to be stuck behind Blaine. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there, maybe after a problem in qualifying or a bad start. Barry’s real talent lies in swearing while he drives, something we can all appreciate in the Oulton Park 2010 video. Barry will no doubt be looking forward to me overtaking him in all the yellow flag zones around the circuits this year.

Nigel Pratt is a new face with the PBIC, but a seasoned veteran of the Midget Challenge championship. As I understand it Nigel is a regular nemesis of Dominic Moon, who regularly wins the championship from Group B in the midgets. To give you an idea how fast he is, last year at Brands his overall race time was less than a second different to Ollie. Yes I worked it out, and no I don’t take it too seriously… Nigel will clearly be a tough competitor this year and I hope that Brands is not just a one off, and that he joins us for a full season.

Talking of quick Midgets, many are asking; where is Simon Hutchinson? The last I heard Simon was taking a year out to do some decorating and work on building his wife a Ford Zetec Midget… Could it be a diversion tactic? Probably not, I think he is actually doing that.

Another notable absence is Terry Holmes. Terry will be out at various intervals throughout the year but at present, I am reliably informed that he is taking a break to concentrate on his ganster rapping career. Peace Holmie.

Alan Brooke is part way through rebuilding the Metro for another assault on Group C. But, as so often happens, reality has taken over and other commitments have to take precedent. I hope to see him back with us soon as I’m sure he will be.

Some of you may have heard that Team Neaves are once again at full strength as I enter back in to the fray, having taken a break in 2010. Of course the in house banter is in full flow as some sort of physiological battle for pole position is taking place. Currently, of course, I am winning!

Obviously this year, in a Ferrari vs McLarren fashion and to Ollie’s annoyance, Blaine and I are copying his exact setup, something which was not possible last year for Blaine. So I expect us to be of the same relative pace this year. Of course this shouldn’t detract from Ollie’s lucky performance last year, which has caused absolutely no bitter resentment at all within the Team.

For Ollie’s benefit, I’ve included a Video of what happened at Cadwell in 2009 – my second race…

And so I start on Group B, which is looking pretty low in numbers this year. I thought the BCV8 punters would come on a mission to show us up, but it appears they are struggling even to register for their own championship at the moment!

Ollie’s main rival from last year, Crippo, has entered his 4 pot roadster this year, which by all accounts is just as fast as the V8 was! Talking of which, the V8 has been given some new breathing equipment and will make an appearance in the Thoroughbred Championship this year. The 4 pot however should be capable of mixing it at the front, so I look forward to some close battles as the season progresses. My only hope is that Simon finds someone to share his biscuits with this year.

Pete Burchill is our surprise pick for the year. Over the last few seasons he’s been going quicker and quicker. With Vulcan backing this year, if Pete hooks it all up he could cling-on to Simon and fight for the Group B championship. Having improved his result season on season, winning the championship would really be the final-frontier for Pete.

Dave Brooke will surely grace us with his presence on the entry list when he is good and ready. In recent testing at Silverstone he was seen to be trying various new setups on his car. As ever, Dave will be looking to regain his recent title and can never be ruled out.

So there you have it folks, that’s my thoughts on the competition going in to the season opener at Brands. I leave you with the freshly uploaded end of season video from last year to get you in the mood.

Dan

The list of group C reprobates entrants has changed a bit this year, but still looks very well represented when compared with recent years. It seems the usual suspects will be there for the season opener, the V8 clan and Simon in the mighty midget followed by 2/3rds of Team Neaves. (which is incidentally usually the order on the track…) Dan will be MIA for most of this year while he concentrates on his web design business – shamelessplug.com.

After the brilliantly close battles at Snetterton the V8 clan have been busy adding superchargers over the winter months in order to overcome the -5bhp deficit to the Team Neaves cars. This year they are also opting for pictures of half-naked men on the sides of their cars instead of women – a change maybe designed to intimidate the opposition?

Hutch is rabbit-ing (somebody stop me!) away trying to weld fibreglass and metal together after the Midget was eaten by a blind BMW racer at the back end of last year. Lets hope the famous Midget makes it for Brands!

The list of modifications for the Team Neaves cars is literally to long to list here. Suffice to say the major changes are; Carbon Fibre Chassis, Hyabussa Engine Conversion, Dual Steering Wheels and an ex-Formula 1 quick lift jack. Early testing results are good and the Team have knocked over a minute off the class lap record at Brand Hatch.

Now for the class virgins;

Alan Brooke will be putting the eagerly anticipated 700bhp K-Series powered Metro through its paces for the first time at Brands, while in a surprising change of events brother Dave is opting to change absolutely nothing on his car.

Paul Luti will be piloting the 1000bhp lightened MG ZS of Ewart Kitson again after a good run at Cadwell. Rumour has it the underpowered ZS has spent the winter in a stable gorging itself on hay, so should be one to watch – especially when given to Paul, the not-so-tamed Scottish Race Driver.

Jonathan Wills is new to the series with Team 78 Racing and his 160 MG ZR, which will be the first ever entered in Group C. Isn’t it great to see some variety!

Dan Ludlow isn’t really a class C virgin, nor is he actually in Group C but is now sharing the helm of the Lunar Racing powered MG ZS, which after a winter in the stable with Ewarts ZS is now 200bhp up on last year and 3 tonnes lighter. Anthony Reid recently tested the car at Brands and got a very respectable lap time of 0.244 seconds, making it another one to watch.

Rockingham

Joking aside, Ollie’s pre-season testing at Rockingham was a nightmare. The weather was awful and half the BTCC grid were there to hold him up on the straights. But we did notice a great deal of diff oil coming out of the diff casing, which turned out to be a tiny pin hole in the axle. At £200 for the days testing, it was worth it just to find that out.

Further more, Ollie learned that the rain is scary, and to respect it…

In closing, we’re looking forward to the season opener at Brands as I’m sure you are. Hopefully it won’t be a copy of the processional F1 first race and we’ll get some good close racing…

It’ll be great to see all the faces again and we’ll see you soon.

Team Neaves

PS. Anyone who’s down for testing on the Friday is welcome to join us at the local boozer in the evening.

Following a couple of failed attempts on track at Cadwell Dan and Ollie had some work to do before Snetterton.  Ollie had a problem with a throttle sensor which was easily rectified but Dan’s problem was more fundamental… a short time after Cadwell Dan discovered a heavy box in the corner of the garage containing odd implements.  What could these be?  These conspicuous metal objects seamed to fit nuts and bolts, that’s right, Dan got to grips with the spanners in an effort to stop the gearbox cross member falling off again!  More on this later…

As Saturday morning dawned the drivers were greeted with a sandstorm, some say the storm originated in one of James Walpole’s nearby fields – perhaps a plot to slow down his championship rivals?!  Still, it had no effect on Simon Cripps as he managed to slide his way to the pole.  Team Neaves did quali in their usual style with Blaine courteously providing a track guide to the younger Neavesers and also to Pistol-Pete Burchill.  The team were relieved to make it to the end of the session with all cars in working order… haha of course I’m lying there;  Dan found himself limping into the garage with a brake issue – going back to those conspicuous metal objects that do the bolts up, it seemed a bolt had vanished from one of the callipers.

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING

Don’t let this man work on your car!

When the results came in we were pleasantly surprised by qualifying;

Pole. Simon Cripps

2. Simon Hutchinson

3. Blaine

4. Dan

5. Ollie

6. Barry Holmes

At this point Barry and Blaine were equal third in group C so it was all to play for.

The grid lined up for Race 1 with Dan sharing a row with Blaine and Ollie with Barry – who found the time to give Ollie a knowing smile on the line.  The lights went out and unlike Cadwell; Old Man Neaves was spared a mugging by at least one of the youths.  Dan slithered around the outside of Blaine into turn one with Ollie and Barry just behind.  Down the Revet straight Dan then managed to nose ahead of Simon H for second but couldn’t hold the nimble midget when it came to braking.

On the second lap Blaine, Ollie and Barry took advantage of Dan’s poor exit of the chicane to jump him down the start straight.  While Simon Says and Simon Does eked out a lead, it was becoming apparent that Blaine didn’t have the pace of the cars behind him.  As the race continued Barry, Dan and Ollie traded places all the time.  At one point Barry had made his way past Dan and Ollie and was putting Blaine under serious pressure, pulling along side a couple of times.  Ollie managed a grab a good exit from Russell’s and pull alongside Barry down the start/finish straight, only to be given the squeeze before making the move stick into the first corner.  The epic tussle continued until the last lap; Dan gave it a few too many beans in a last ditch attempt to get Barry across the line and spun at the chicane.  It’s always nice to have a spin in front on the fans – I’m sure photos will follow…

The final result for race one was

1. Simon C

2. Simon H

3. Blaine

4. Ollie

5. Barry

6. David Brooke

7. Peter Andrews

8. Dan

It was then back to the hotels / tents / MG ZT Estates (eh Pete) to get some rest, but not before a trip to the pub where – Jonesey – no money laundering activities took place – that’s what Danny the ‘cashback’ Kid says anyway

Sunday morning saw better weather; more sun, less wind and no sand.  Barry needed to finish a couple of places ahead of Blaine to take third in Class C for the championship.  The grid was similar for Race 2;

Pole. Simon C

2. Simon H

3. Blaine

4. Ollie

5. Barry

6. Dan

At the lights round two commenced, but this time, like Freddy Mercury with a Hoover, Ollie broke free (what an image).  By the end of the Revet straight on lap one Ollie had negotiated one Simon (Hutch) and was on to the other (Cripps).  It seems Ollie fancied the win, trying his best to get round Simon but just not having the legs to make it stick.

All the while the Battle Royale continued behind between Blaine, Barry and Dan, slogging it out for 4^th.  Barry was looking handy but couldn’t find a way past road-hog-Blaine.  After the race scrutineers took a long look at Blaine’s car following reports that it is at least twice as wide as normal B’s… Yes, Blaine is very hard to pass!  As Dan got closer to Barry a manoeuvre known only as the Barry-Holmes-squeeze was brought out in an effort to keep Dan behind, but after a few laps Dan made it through.

Back at the front hard charging Simon Cripps got the wrong gear for the chicane and spun, by the time he’d collected it up he found himself third behind Ollie and Simon.  Ollie was leading the race!  Remarkable!!  All that remained was for Ollie to keep a cool head and bring it home.  But Cripps wasn’t finished there; he was determined to get back in front.  Hutch too could smell the win and was catching Ollie back up.  Could he do it?

As Blaine, Dan and Barry continued to fight it out Barry copied Dan’s Race 1 move and did a nice power slide spin for the crowd at the chicane.  Unfortunately while pleasing the masses Barry dropped away from the battle leaving Blaine and Dan to it.  Without having Barry to worry about Dan was on a mission, and over the next few laps twice came around the outside at Corrum to try and pass road-hog-Blaine, on the second try the move stuck, but it meant getting a bad run out of the chicane… Blaine then pulled ahead again on the straight.  At the following corner Dan, just inches behind Blaine, hit the brakes to find not a lot happen!  Consequently a high speed brown trouser inducing slide started – spinning him into the infield, but also letting Barry back through.  That’s what happens when the pads rattle away from the disc when you run over a kerb!!

On the last lap Cripps, now getting close to the charging midget of Hutch was flying, but then at the end of the Revet straight got his braking all wrong and impacted a tyre stack pretty hard.  Simon was ok but in his wake he’d left the tyre stack in the middle of the track.  Then, it was all over, Ollie had managed to stay ahead and take the win!!

Well Done Ollie!!!

Final positions were

1. Ollie

2. Simon H

3. Blaine

4. Barry

5. David Brooke

6. Dan

A truly excellent result for the team, Ollie takes his first win, and Blaine wrapped up third in class.  In fact it’s been an excellent season, despite early teething problems, Team Neaves will certainly be a force to be reckoned with next season!

We’d like to thank the club for putting on the races throughout the year; they have been very well run.  Also thanks to all the marshals – without whom racing is not possible.  And thanks to the fellow drivers for putting up with us newcomers – and the senior one.

Special thanks go to Alan F and son Danny for taking some great photos.

And we’d all like to thank our underpants for their support.

See you at the Dinner and Dance!

Team Neaves